News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Appearing before Judge Mary Devins, the accused was released on continuing bail and the case was adjourned until July 9 for the preparation of a book of evidence.

[Source: Donegal Democrat]

DOWN

Newry’s Tesco store finally opened its doors to the public last Thursday at 8 a.m., welcoming more than 30 eager shoppers who had arrived early to check out the city’s sprawling new superstore.

The 63,000 square feet store, just outside the city center, is the third largest Tesco in Northern Ireland and boasts a vast array of shopping departments all under one roof, including the F&F clothes range, a mobile phone shop, an optician and an electronics department, in addition to grocery, bakery, beers, wines and spirits and health and beauty departments.

The Examiner was there to gauge the opinion of local shoppers and first impressions certainly suggested that Newry’s newest superstore was proving a massive hit with the early morning crowd, with most shoppers telling us they “loved” the bright and airy premises, and others declaring it a beautiful and spacious store which they would definitely shop in again. The free parking in the 600 space car park also appealed to many shoppers who commended Tesco on providing such a service for its customers.

[Source: Examiner Newspaper]

DUBLIN

There was relief for holidaymakers on Thursday as French air controllers called off their strike.

Thousands were left in limbo last Wednesday as the fallout from the action spread across Europe to Irish airports.

Some passengers in Dublin Airport had been on their planes for more than an hour waiting for take-off when they were told their flights had been canceled.

Long queues of travelers who had to reclaim their baggage were then looking at abandoning their holidays.

[Source: Evening Herald]

FERMANAGH

They have used their land to create a “road to nowhere,” placed an enormous telephone mast in one of their fields and stationed police at every lane, yet for Linda Moore and her family, life inside the “iron curtain” is relatively stress free.

First told about the plans to put up the fence in February, things could have been much worse for the Moore family.

The neighboring farm within the exclusion zone, was originally due to be inside the fence.

“They asked, ‘How did we feel?’ And I said that’s appalling the inconvenience of my husband Charlie having to go in and out through the fence to the farm and the possibility of being surrounded by protesters. To me it was the worst possible scenario.”

[Source: Fermanagh Herald]

GALWAY

Galway City Council is being urged to carry out improvement works at the Ballymoneen/Rahoon road junction in the city.

Councilor Donal Lyons wants the council to widen the road at the junction to allow two-way traffic.

He also wants footpaths and lighting put in at the location to protect pedestrians.

Speaking to Galway Bay FM News, Councilor Lyons, who has tabled a motion on the matter, says there is a safety issue at the junction.

[Source: Galway Bay FM]

KERRY

A national crime league table compiled by the Irish Examiner shows Roscommon and Longford to be the safest counties, while Waterford, Louth, Wicklow, and Limerick recorded some of the highest crime rates.

A breakdown of official crime statistics for 2012 confirms Dublin as Ireland’s crime capital, with an average of 789 offences per 10,000 people compared to the national average of 532. It has the highest rates for robberies, theft, drug, and fraud offenses.

While overall crime rates were down nationally, one in every 18 people was a victim of crime last year, with one in 60 a victim of theft.

The Garda (police) division of Roscommon/Longford narrowly edged Mayo as the region with the lowest crime rate, with an average of just 325 offences per 10,000 population — less than half the rate in Dublin or Limerick. Low crime levels were also recorded in Donegal, Clare, and Tipperary.

Limerick has the highest crime levels for sex offenses and criminal damage to property, while Waterford has the worst crime rate for assaults and weapons and explosives offenses.

Kerry recorded the highest incidence of public order offenses. However, the county has the lowest crime rate for burglary, fraud, and criminal damage.

[Source: Irish Examiner]

KILDARE

An entrepreneur and Trinity College graduate, who organized the importation of one of the largest amounts of cocaine ever seized in Ireland, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Gareth Hopkins (33), with addresses at Carnlough Road in Cabra, Dublin and Leixlip in Co. Kildare, was caught with $39 million worth of cocaine on June 26 last year.

Passing sentence, Judge Mary Ellen Ring said she accepted that Mr. Hopkins had turned to a life of crime after losing his job in 2012, but that many Irish people with similar problems didn't turn to drug dealing.